Highlights from Jingle Bell Run in Green Bay

Thank you to everyone who made the Jingle Bell Run at the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay a great day. Hope to see you all next year but to hold you over until then here are some of the highlights. You can find the rest of the photos from that day on the Arthritis Foundation Northeast Wisconsin page on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arthritis-Foundation-Northeast-Wisconsin/114451255267298?ref=sgm

Snow Didn’t Stop Season’s Last Jingle Bell Runs

With predicted snowfalls in the double digits and winter storm warnings covering much of Wisconsin, many were concerned that the Wisconsin Chapter’s Jingle Bell Runs scheduled for Saturday might not happen. With rescheduling at such a late date impossible, organizers pressed on encouraging others to be safe and practice WI winter weather caution. Those who were able to make it to their local event were not disappointed.

In some areas the blizzards held off and had just the right amount of snow while others got dumped on. All events had participants who made it out for a good cause bringing their Jingle Bell Run spirits. Many felt it was an important event to raise awareness.

“There are over 100 forms of arthritis that affect men, women and children. Our honoree this year is only 4 years old. She’s got rheumatoid arthritis and she’s going to have it her whole life and have an injection every single week,” Judy Miyagawa, Southwest, District Director, told WMSN-TV News at the 25th annual Jingle Bell Run in Madison, WI.

At the run people tie jingle bells to their shoes and many wear holiday-themed costumes as they hit the pavement for a good cause. The Jingle Bell Run is a fun, festive way to kick off the holidays while raising awareness and funds for programs that support the 1 in 5 Americans who battle arthritis.

“It is a serious disease, it effects a huge portion of our population, the population that it effects is only getting greater and greater. It’s not decreasing, and with awareness they will talk about it,” Laura Libert, Northeast WI District Director, told WAOW News at the Wausau, WI, Jingle Bell Run.

Laura also spoke with WSAW News, “This is the 9th Jingle Bell Run/Walk here at Wausau, on a very snowy day. I’ve been doing this for 15 years and this is the first time we’ve had this kind of substantial snowfall for a Jingle Bell Run.”

Participants  were welcomed back from their run/walk with hot chocolate, a warm bowl of soup and warm spirits.

The last of the 2010 WI Jingle Bell Runs will be remembered for the blizzard conditions of the weekend but they will also be remembered for the amazing people who came together to make it happen. The sponsors, volunteers, donors and participants are what make every Jingle Bell Run event a success year after year.

Click on links below to check out scenes across snowy Wisconsin:

In Wausau, WI:

News Coverage by WAOW- Newsline 9, Patrick Manning- Jingle Bell run – WAOW – Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports.

News Coverage by WSAW- News, Casey O’Halloran- Hundreds Bundle Up For Jingle Bell Run.

In Madison, WI:

News Coverage by-WMSN FOX 47 :: Newsroom – Top Stories – Thousands raise money for Jingle Bell Run.

In Eau Claire, WI:

News Coverage by WQOW- News, Kevin Keen-Hundreds lace up for a run in the snow – WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports.

We were also on WI and MI border in Menominee, MI:

Northeast District’s page on Facebook: Facebook

Arthritis Winter Safety Tips

Its definitely time to dust off those winter safety tips and take a look at them again. That snow has been flying all over Wisconsin and even though our Jingle Bell Run Season will be wrapping up soon,  its just the beginning of the snow season. The Arthritis foundation Wisconsin Chapter wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

1. Joints affected by arthritis can be especially achy when it’s cold outside due to the contracting of tendons, ligaments and muscles. Take time to warm up and bundle up!

2. It’s important to keep moving to keep muscles strong so they can support your joints. There are lots of exercises you can do indoors either with the Arthritis Foundation’s Exercise Program DVD or in a class near you. (Ordering info is here – and you can call our Information and Referral Hotline at 800-242-9945 or 414-321-3933).

3. If you’ve been listening to your body and you think you’re up for it, remember to take breaks when shoveling or snow plowing. You don’t want to over do it. There are special shovels on the market that can help relieve strain on your back. Remember to lift with you legs and avoid twisting motions that can aggravate your knees, hips and lower back!

4. When dealing with that shovel or snow plow, you can make the handle bigger and easier to grip by wrapping a towel around the handle and securing it with tape. You often can do this inside before you head out into the cold.

5. If you’re body tells you that you shouldn’t be out removing snow from your sidewalk or driveway, perhaps there is a nice neighbor, local kid or church member who could be called on to remove your snow when you’re unable to. For a fee, there are often snow removal services in most towns.

6. Be extra careful when you’re walking outside so that you don’t slip on ice or slush. Walking slowly, taking your time and keeping areas well-lit can help you see those dangerous spots.

7.  Contact your physician if you are noticing new aches and pains. Open communication leads to better care.

8. If you’re participating in the last four Jingle Bell Run/Walks of 2010 in Wisconsin, please dress for the weather and be careful on those paths. Runners should be in the front at the start line so no one gets tripped up. I’m looking at you Madison, Marinette, Wausau, and Eau Claire.

9. For other questions, feel free to call the Arthritis Foundation at 414-321-3933 or 800-242-9945.

Thanks for an excellent JBR season thus far!

The Arthritis Foundation, Wisconsin Chapter would like to extend a special thank you to our volunteers, participants, and staff who helped make the Jingle Bell Run in Racine possible!

We had an excellent turnout on a chilly December day.  We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation, support, and enthusiasm throughout the JBR season with the Arthritis Foundation.

Don’t forget if you missed any of the Jingle Bell Runs up until this point there are still a few left to participant in!  We hope to see you there with bells on!

 

(12/11/10) – Eau Claire, http://www.jbreauclaire.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Madison, http://www.jbrmadison.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Marinette/Menominee, http://www.jbrmm.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Wausau, http://www.jbrwausau.kintera.org

Tis the Season for Fundraising and Fun!

It’s not too late to build your team or fundraise before your Jingle Bell Run/Walk in your community!

To start building your team, inform everyone you know about the Jingle Bell Run.  Recruit your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to join your team!  Every team must have at least ten members, but why stop there?  Encourage team members to invite more people so that team building is a group effort.

Registering a team is easy to do.  Teams can be registered online at any one of the JBR websites by simply clicking on the “Sign Up” button.  From there you can personalize your webpage, and send out e-mails to friends and family inviting them to sign up for your team or make a donation!  Teams can also be registered on paper forms; distribute registration forms to everyone and anyone who is interested.  Each team for JBR needs to have a team captain.

Team captains are responsible for:

• Recruiting as many team members as you can in the fight against arthritis
• Raising funds by demonstrating initiative and leadership in your team’s fundraising efforts
• Providing support to team members
• Helping team members register and fundraise
• Serving as the primary point of communication between your team and the Arthritis Foundation

This year, we are hoping to make the JBR season the most successful one yet! Your team can get the bell jingling by fundraising individually as a team!

Follow these 8 easy steps to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation:

1. Start with your own donation of $10
2. Ask three family members to sponsor you for $25
3. Ask five friends to sponsor you for $20
4. Ask five co-workers to sponsor you for $10
5. Ask five neighbors to sponsor you for $20
6. Ask four people from your religious or social organization to sponsor you for $10
7. Ask your boss for a company contribution of $50 and ask if your company has a corporate matching gift program
8. Ask three businesses you frequently visit for $25 (doctor, dentist, hair stylist, dry cleaner, mechanic, coffee shop)

If you complete all eight steps successfully, you will have just raised $500!  Think about it.  If you have a team of 10 members and each member does this process, your team alone has just raised $5,000!  Every dollar counts.

Doing fundraisers with your team can be fun and easy, too.  Have a rummage sale in your company parking lot or at your home, and have all your family, friends, and team members bring items to sell.  This is a quick and easy way to raise a lot of money in a short amount of time, not to mention you get some bonus house cleaning in, too.

Does your company have a “Casual Friday”?  Check with your HR department and then next Friday at work, have everyone chip in $5 in order to be able to dress casually.  Have all team members try to get their companies involved in a casual day!

Captains and team members can also get the word out by sending e-mails, or using social media tools like blogs, Twitter, and Facebook.

Set some goals for your team and challenge each other to reach them!  Support the Arthritis Foundation by racing your way across the finish line with as many little elves with you as possible!

Be part of Wisconsin’s Jingle Bell Run 2010 in one of the following cities:

check out the cities below for upcoming Jingle bell Runs.

(12/4/10) – Green Bay, http://www.jbrgreenbay.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Janesville, http://www.jbrjanesville.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Racine, http://www.jbrracine.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Eau Claire, http://www.jbreauclaire.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Madison, http://www.jbrmadison.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Marinette/Menominee, http://www.jbrmm.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Wausau, http://www.jbrwausau.kintera.org

Hopeful For the Future: JBR Honoree, Jillian

Your Support Makes a Difference.

Jillian, of Green Bay, WI, is a happy 5-year-old enjoying new experiences as a kindergartener. However, at the age of 3, Jillian’s future didn’t appear so bright. Jillian’s parents noticed she was limping and trying to walk while holding her right leg straight. When asked about it, Jillian said, “The puppy scratched me.” With a new pet, her parents thought it could be true, but they didn’t see any scratches. Two days later, Jillian awoke with redness and swelling in her knee accompanied by a lot of pain and discomfort.

Trips to the pediatrician’s office, blood work and referrals to a rheumatologist finally led to a diagnosis: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). While they were relieved to know the cause of her pain and swelling, they were scared for her future. Jillian has been through several medications, trips to specialists and finally found a combination that has kept her JRA under control. While cautiously optimistic that this will do the job, her family is hopeful that one day Jillianwill be able to say that her arthritis has been cured.

Please join honoree, Jillian, and her family at the Jingle Bell Run/Walk as they take steps to help the Arthritis Foundation find a cure for her and the 1.1 million people in Wisconsin affected by arthritis.

Be part of Wisconsin’s Jingle Bell Run 2010 in one of the following cities:

check out the cities below for upcoming Jingle bell Runs.

(12/4/10) – Green Bay, http://www.jbrgreenbay.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Janesville, http://www.jbrjanesville.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Racine, http://www.jbrracine.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Eau Claire, http://www.jbreauclaire.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Madison, http://www.jbrmadison.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Marinette/Menominee, http://www.jbrmm.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Wausau, http://www.jbrwausau.kintera.org

JBR Racine is almost here!

The Jingle Bell Run in Racine is right around the corner!  It kicks off Saturday, December 4^th at 9:30 a.m. at Racine Lutheran High School.  Register online at www.jbrracine.kintera.org.  Registration fees are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Registration can also be done on race day between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

 

Kid’s Race!
This year, we are holding a kid’s race at 9:00 AM prior to the 5K event. Participants in each age group will receive a prize.
Race 1: Children 3 and under, Children 4-6
Race 2: Children 7-8, Children 9-10
Children 10 & under are welcome to participate in both the Kid’s Race and the 5K event!

 

Pre-Event Packet Pickup
Save time in line and pick up your packet early! You may pick up your event materials on Friday, December 3 between 4:00 and 7:00 PM at Racine Lutheran High School, 251 Luedtke Ave, Racine.

AWARDS

Top Pledge-Raising Team
The team raising the most pledges will receive a team prize.
Largest Team
The team captain of the largest team will receive a prize.
Fastest Team
A traveling plaque will be awarded to the team finishing in first place, determined by the average time of the five fastest runners.
Team Spirit Award
This coveted award will go to the team displaying the most holiday enthusiasm before and during the event.
Team members are also eligible for individual pledge prizes and medals.

Individual Awards
The top overall male and female finishers will receive medals, as well as the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age brackets:
10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29
30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59
60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 and over

Costume Contest
Show your holiday spirit and don your most creative costume! Prizes will be awarded in the following categories during the post-event celebration:
Group: two or more individuals dressing with a common theme
Individual: best costume over the age of 12

Child: best costume for 12 and under

 

We hope to see everyone there with bells on!  But, if you can’t make this JBR, register for one of our other awesome races across the state:

 

(12/4/10) – Green Bay, http://www.jbrgreenbay.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Janesville, http://www.jbrjanesville.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Racine, http://www.jbrracine.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Eau Claire, http://www.jbreauclaire.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Madison, http://www.jbrmadison.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Marinette/Menominee, http://www.jbrmm.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Wausau, www.jbrwausau.kintera.org

Be There With Bells On: Green Bay

Be There With Bells on: Jingle Bell Walk/Run Returns Dec. 4

Originally printed in the Fourth Estate,  A University of Wisconin- Green Bay Publication

Story By Kaitlin Phillips 

Jingle bells will be heard all over the UW-Green Bay campus Dec. 4 in hopes of raising money to help the 1.1 million Wisconsin residents living with arthritis.

For the 14th year, the Arthritis Foundation will be hosting the 5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk, taking place on the Arboretum Trail. It’s sponsored by the Kress Events Center, Office of Student Life, UWGB Cross Country teams and many others.

Laura Libert, director of the Arthritis Foundation Wisconsin Chapter, said this is the foundation’s signature event.

“What we love about the Jingle Bell Run/Walk is it’s the start of the holiday season,” Libert said. “It’s an opportunity to increase awareness for people with arthritis, arthritis diseases in general and the Arthritis Foundation. It’s also an opportunity for us to raise needed funds for local programs and services.”

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk has been around nationally for nearly 40 years, according to Libert. One of the things they are known for is handing out jingle bells to participants. People put bells on their shoes, around their wrists or shake them during the event. As people venture through the Arboretum Trail, the sound of bells can be heard.

“If you’ve been there, you get a feel for the event,” Libert said.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the run/walk starting at 9 a.m.  When participants return to the Kress, there will be hot soup, bread, cookies and fruit. Star 98 will provide holiday music.

“It’s a nice lunch they come back to,” Libert said. “It’s a great way for family, friends and people to start their holiday.”

Stephanie Kaponya, program coordinator for OSL, is working with the UWGB aspect of the Jingle Bell Run/Walk.

According to Kaponya, OSL helps get volunteers to set up the Kress Center and get advertisements for the event. The cross country teams set up the 5K trail.

Casey Calhoun, junior psychology major, participated in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk last year.

“My favorite part of participating was the feeling afterward,” Calhoun said. “This isn’t an activity for a stereotypical college student’s Saturday morning. The feeling of accomplishment after we woke up early, walking to raise awareness and money makes me want to do it again. The nap afterward was pretty fantastic, too.”

Registration before Nov. 24 is $20 for an individual. This includes bells, gloves and an official run/walk T-shirt. After Nov. 24, the registration fee is $25. People are welcome to register until the beginning of the event.

People are encouraged to raise pledges while participating. For doing so, they can receive prizes from the foundation. This year, $50 pledge participants receive a Jingle Bell Run/Walk cowbell to add some extra bells to the mix. The Arthritis Foundation hosts Jingle Bell Run/Walks all over Wisconsin including Milwaukee, Madison and Appleton. For more information on registering for the run/walk, visit http://www.jrgreenbay.kintera.org.

http://www.fourthestatenewspaper.com/showcase/be-there-with-bells-on-jingle-bell-run-walk-returns-dec-4-1.1781561.

JBR Milwaukee Pictures!

            The Jingle Bell Run at the Milwaukee County Zoo was once again a huge success!  Teams and individual runners came with their bells on ready to have some fun. 

            The race kicked off at 8:30 a.m. and over 4,000 participants lined up at the starting point.  Runners and walkers of all ages made their way through zoo just as the animals were beginning to wake up. 

            The Arthritis Foundation could not have asked for more perfect weather on this great day. The Arthritis Foundation would like to extend a special thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this day possible, as well as everyone who participated in the Jingle Bell Run. 

            If you missed the Jingle Bell Run at the zoo, sign up to come to one of our other Jingle Bell Run events across the state!

(12/4/10) – Green Bay, http://www.jbrgreenbay.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Janesville, http://www.jbrjanesville.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Racine, http://www.jbrracine.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Eau Claire, http://www.jbreauclaire.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Madison, http://www.jbrmadison.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Marinette/Menominee, http://www.jbrmm.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Wausau, www.jbrwausau.kintera.org

Check out the pictures from JBR at the zoo!

The First of Many Cities Who Will Be Hitting the Pavement with Their Jingle Bells

Northeast Wisconsin, Fox 11 WLUK News Story:

Jingle Bell Run helps a good cause

Funds raised support Arthritis Foundation of NE WI

APPLETON – Runners braved the chilly weather for a good cause Saturday morning.

The first of several Jingle Bell Runs kicked off at Players Choice in Appleton.

Some people took part in a 5K run outside, but those who wanted to stay warmer opted for a one mile walk inside.

The event supports the Arthritis Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin.

Organizers say the money goes toward many different programs that help thousands of people.

“We talked about bringing speakers in to talk about different and new therapies and drugs that are available to folks that are dealing with arthritis. We have 5,400 children in the state of Wisconsin with juvenile arthritis and over a million adults with arthritis in Wisconsin alone,” said event organizer Vicki Bosanny.

The Appleton run was the first of several planned for the area.

The next Jingle Bell Run will be held in Oshkosh next Saturday.

For video:

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/health/jingle-bell-run-helps-a-good-cause

 

Arthritis Foundation Editorial Note: It was a fun, beautiful day for kicking off the Wisconsin Jingle Bell Run Season. If you weren’t able to make it to the event, check out the cities below for upcoming Jingle bell Runs.

(11/13/10) – Oshkosh, http://www.jbroshkosh.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Green Bay, http://www.jbrgreenbay.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Janesville, http://www.jbrjanesville.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Racine, http://www.jbrracine.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Eau Claire, http://www.jbreauclaire.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Madison, http://www.jbrmadison.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Marinette/Menominee, http://www.jbrmm.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Wausau, http://www.jbrwausau.kintera.org